Sundance 2024

Sean Wang’s Didi is an incredibly authentic and heartfelt coming-of-age drama that captures the awkwardness, confusion, and humor of adolescence. The film follows a young Asian boy on the verge of starting high school as he navigates a period of self-discovery and identity crisis. As he drifts away from his close-knit group of friends, he begins testing new ways to define himself, trying to figure out who he will be in this new chapter of life.

The film portrays his various attempts at fitting in—whether taking up skateboarding, experimenting with filming, or awkwardly pursuing his crush through social media (with more than a bit of online stalking thrown in for good measure). Each attempt is relatable and often cringe-inducing, but Didi never loses its sense of humor. The film thrives in the small, honest moments that capture the messiness of adolescence, particularly when the protagonist fails spectacularly at being someone he isn’t, only to end up defining himself in the process.

At the heart of the film are Didi’s strained family dynamics. He has an adversarial relationship with his sister, who is preparing to leave for college, and treats his mother with quiet resentment, as though he wishes she would disappear. His interactions with both women in his life are filled with tension, reflecting the common adolescent struggle of pushing away those closest to you while trying to assert independence. Yet, through his journey of self-reinvention and countless failed experiments at becoming “cool,” there’s a soft realization—subtle and earned—that perhaps his mom and sister aren’t the burdens he once thought.

The film excels at weaving humor into its more cringe-worthy and emotional moments. The protagonist’s efforts to navigate high school’s social hierarchy, awkwardly pursue romance, and find a place within shifting friendships feel incredibly relatable. Wang strikes a delicate balance between the film’s humorous take on these adolescent missteps and the deeper, more introspective undercurrents about identity and self-acceptance.

There’s something so universally relatable about Didi trying on different identities in an attempt to be liked. The awkwardness of it all—the desperate need for approval from others and the simultaneous rebellion against those who love you unconditionally—rings true. Didi understands that adolescence is as much about discovering who you are not, as it is about discovering who you are.

With its humor, heart, and painful authenticity, Didi is a charming portrait of a young boy’s transition into high school, offering a thoughtful meditation on family, friendship, and the trials of self-discovery.

— 4.5 / 5 ⭐